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In This Issue
LightHouse Highlights
1. Support the LightHouse
2. 16- to 24-Year-Olds Will Learn How to Work and Play on a Team at This Year's Transition Summit
3. High School Chemistry Camp to be Bigger and Better than Ever - Deadline to Apply is April 5
4. Focus Groups for Blind and Visually Impaired Clipper Card Users
5. 2012 Jobsite Series Off to a Great Start
6. Dialogue with the Director
7. Make Your Reservation for Provider's Weekend: May 18-20
8. Don't Be Left Out - Ride for Enchanted Hills Camp in April
9. California Communications Access Foundation Grant Received
10. Wine Appreciation with Sommelier Roy Austin
11. New North Coast Health Series to Start in April
12. Attention, Campers! Camp Sessions are Still Open
13. Enchanted Hills Retreat - The Perfect Place for Your Meeting or Event
14. Volunteer to Help Blind Neighbors Run Errands and Tackle Mail
15. Hands-on with "Enhanced Vision" Low Vision Products in San Francisco and San Rafael
16. Adaptations Featured Item of the Month: Eschenbach easyPOCKET 4x Magnifier
17. Spring 2012 Calendar (April-June)
Community Events
18. Access Advisors Open House & Disability Arts Festival at deYoung Museum
19. CCB Spring 2012 Convention Scheduled for April
Noteworthy News
20. Download Free Braille Books through American Action Fund
21. Exciting Update on Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder Studies
22. First 'Fully Accessible' TV Launched
23. Accessibility Problems with your Citibank Account?
24. Connect with us on Facebook!
25. We Tweet Too!
26. What Our Readers Say
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LightHouse Highlights
1. Support the LightHouse 

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
-- Helen Keller, 1941

Sometimes, confidence is all one needs to take the next step. Our programs teach blind and low vision people practical skills. But more than that, they help build and reinforce confidence - 
the confidence that enables us all to meet life's challenges and adventures.

We are truly grateful for your continuing support of our programs. Please make your tax-deductible contribution at www.lighthouse-sf.org.

 

  

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2. 16- to 24-Year-Olds Will Learn How to Work and Play on a Team at This Year's Transition Summit
Caption: 22-year-old John Soabas takes the public speaking plunge in front of his peers and LightHouse Board members at last year's Transition Summit
As part of our new Future Professionals Training Program, the LightHouse is proud to present Team-Building and Effective Communication, the first of three Transition Summits for 2012. We are really interested in finding youth between the ages of 16 to 24 who are enrolled with the Department of Rehabilitation. To find out how to join in the fun, please read more here:

http://bit.ly/transitionsummit2012

 

 

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3. High School Chemistry Camp to be Bigger and Better than Ever - Deadline to Apply is April 5
Caption: 17-year-old Mary Church adds acid to a beaker using a pipette during last year's Chemistry Camp

Would you like to learn how blind people tackle the supposedly visual-only subject of organic chemistry successfully? Do you have a general love for science? Do you want to learn how you can do chemistry as a blind person just as successfully as your sighted peers? Do you want to apply the chemistry you learned to food such as olive oil? Are you interested in how blind professionals use science in their careers every day? Then the 2012 California Chemistry Camp is for you! Find out more about Chemistry Camp here:

 

http://bit.ly/chemcamp2012 

 

 

 

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4. Focus Groups for Blind and Visually Impaired Clipper Card Users

Do you have a Clipper Card and have you had trouble using it? If so, please join the LightHouse and Disability Rights Advocates for a focus group of blind users to talk about situations and issues such as the following:
* Difficulty finding the machines to tag your Clipper Card when riding BART or Caltrain
* Difficulty determining if you have properly tagged your card
* Trouble using your Clipper Card on another local transit system
* Difficulty registering your Regional Transit Connection Card (RTC) on the Clipper Card website

You can participate in the discussion in either San Francisco or Berkeley. To RSVP contact Beth Berenson at [email protected].

Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
When: April 19: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: LightHouse at the Ed Roberts Campus
3075 Adeline St., Ste. 110, Berkeley
When: May 8: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

  

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5. 2012 Jobsite Series Off to a Great Start

The Jobsite Conversation Series, a LightHouse endeavor that provides blind jobseekers with a real-world chance to come to know employed blind people at their workplace, is off to a great start in 2012. Thus far we have met with two very successful blind professionals, both named John.

John Hefti, Serial Entrepreneur
On February 15, we spent the afternoon with John Hefti. John is a serial entrepreneur who has worked in a myriad of fields such as semiconductor technologies, computational proteomics, life sciences research and medical devices. John has 13 patents issued to his name, has raised over $64 million in venture capital for his own companies and holds degrees from Columbia, Berkeley and Stanford universities. 

During our visit, John talked at length about his entrepreneurial spirit, the custom access software he has designed for his own use and the various businesses he has helped to foster throughout his career. John told us that "one of life's greatest joys is watching an idea grow into a business that makes a positive impact in the lives of others." 

John Debenedetti, President and CEO of California Center for Sleep Disorders
Our second visit was on February 29, with John Debenedetti, President and CEO of California Center for Sleep Disorders. Since receiving an undergraduate biology degree from Stanford University and an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, John has focused exclusively on companies specializing in medical devices, biotechnology and healthcare services. His business experience includes working with cardiac testing services, pulmonary and home medical services, and sleep disorders testing.   

John talked about what drives him to succeed and the challenges he has faced throughout his career. In particular, he mentioned the difficulties he has had getting supervisors and co-workers to provide materials to him in an accessible format. John told us with a chuckle that now that he is running a company, he may have found the ultimate solution to this issue: Folks need less reminding about providing information in accessible formats when he is the one signing their paychecks.

For more information about our jobsite series, please contact Richard Russo at 415-694-7352 or via email at [email protected].

 

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6. Dialogue with the Director

LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin has established a regular time to personally hear from any community member about LightHouse services and opportunities for our organization.

When: Thursday, April 12 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (Please note that this is a deviation from the regularly established schedule.)
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

These informal evenings have proven to be very useful as the LightHouse develops new programs and services. To reserve your place in the dialogue, please contact Chuck Godwin at 415-694-7348 or [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11.

 

 

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7. Make Your Reservation for Provider's Weekend: May 18-20

Back by popular demand! Please join LightHouse for the Blind for Provider's Weekend, held at our beautiful Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Read more about Provider's Weekend here:

 http://bit.ly/providersweekend 

 

 

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8. Don't Be Left Out - Ride for Enchanted Hills Camp in April
Caption: LightHouse Board member Gena Harper sits on tandem with her pilot
Enchanted Hills Camp needs your support. We are one of only two camps in the western United States serving blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind and multi-disabled children and adults. Enchanted Hills provides a supportive environment for campers of all ages to meet other people with disabilities, make friends, enjoy nature, gain self-confidence and develop skills for increased independence.

If the idea of a long, leisurely bike ride during what promises to be a beautiful day in Napa appeals to you, you can have fun and support Enchanted Hills by participating in this year's Cycle for Sight. Ride a 15-, 25- or 50-mile route with 2,000 other cyclists, coordinated for our benefit by Napa Rotary. Ride solo or contact us if you would like to be a captain on a tandem with a blind cyclist. You can even raise funds for Enchanted Hills Camp by securing pledges in support of your ride.

Tandem Pilots Needed!
Interested in being the pilot on a tandem bike? Don't worry, you won't be flying an airplane without a license; you'll simply be sitting in the front seat of the bike and steering while pedaling in collaboration with a blind "stoker" (back seat rider) and supporting Enchanted Hills with your efforts.

Do you have a Tandem Bike?
Ride Cycle for Sight with a friend or let the LightHouse match you with a pilot or stoker and support Enchanted Hills Camp. Contact Tony Fletcher for more details at 415-694-7319 or [email protected].

Cycle for Sight 2012
When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (please note start times are different for each route)
Where: All rides begin and end at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street. Napa, CA 94558
For registration, routes and start times, go to www.cycle4sight.com.
Same day registration will also be available onsite Saturday morning from 7:00 through 10:00 a.m.

Please note: Screen reader users may have difficulty with some aspects of this new registration site. We're working with Napa Rotary to streamline the registration process, but in the interim LightHouse will be happy to assist in registration. Please contact Andrea Ogarrio at 415-694-7365 or [email protected] for more information. If you are interested in participating on a tandem bike, either as a captain or as a stoker, contact Tony Fletcher for more details at 415-694-7319 or [email protected].

Can't Ride but Still Care?
If you can't participate in Cycle for Sight, you can still support our camp. Contribute by going to http://lighthouse-sf.org/donate/ (be sure to click on the Special Instructions link and reference Cycle for Sight).

Carbo-Load and Spend an Easy Weekend with Us Around the Ride
Overnight accommodations are available at Enchanted Hills Retreat, including a "carb-loaded dinner," mixer with fellow cyclists and supporters, and breakfast before the ride for $50 per person. Extend your stay on Saturday night for the same low price. For information and reservations contact Tony Fletcher at 414-694-7319 or [email protected]. Space is limited, so reserve now! 

 

 

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9. California Communications Access Foundation Grant Received

LightHouse is proud to announce that we have been awarded a generous $50,000 grant from the California Communications Access Foundation. With this grant the LightHouse will construct an Accessible Videoconference Center in its San Francisco headquarters. The Center will be designed to accommodate the unique disability needs of blind, low-vision, deaf-blind and hearing-impaired individuals.

For years we've been asked by sighted professionals, family members and low-vision clients if there might be a way for them to actually see our seminar presentations. With the help of this grant, the Center will do exactly that, allowing a much broader community to benefit from the technology seminars we're already producing. The technology will also allow the LightHouse to participate in a new video description research and development program funded by the U.S. Department of Education that will enable our constituents to have enhanced access to real-time video description of educational and dramatic video offerings.

We look forward to the debut of the Accessible Videoconference Center and thank the California Communications Access Foundation for their support!

 

 

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10. Wine Appreciation with Sommelier Roy Austin

Visually impaired sommelier Roy Austin will share his impressive and extensive wine knowledge in this series of classes. To find out where, when, and how to participate, click here:

 

http://bit.ly/austinwine 

 

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11. New North Coast Health Series to Start in April

Join us as Our Pathways to Health presents a series of free health and wellness workshops for low vision and blind consumers.

This peer-led series of workshops addresses the common challenges faced by those living with long-term health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, COPD or chronic pain.

Learn how to:
* Set small goals that lead to big transformations
* Lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier
* Find the motivation to tackle large goals
 
Learn action planning:
* Set small, achievable goals
* Build on success in a supportive environment
 
When: Tuesdays, April 3 through May 8, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Humboldt Senior Resource Center, 1910 California Street, Eureka, CA 95501

Space is limited. Contact Janet Pomerantz at the LightHouse of the North Coast office at 707-268-5646 for more information and reservations. Caregivers are welcome to attend with workshop participants.

 

 

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12. Attention, Campers! Camp Sessions are Still Open
Caption: Young campers Justin Geissberger, Richard Helems, Tyler Melone, Evan Milburn and Daniel Witte play foosball at Enchanted Hills Camp

Registration for 2012 Enchanted Hills Camp sessions is now open. Applications are available for download on our website at http://lighthouse-sf.org/programs/enchanted-hills/.

Instructions and payment information are available on the application. Our camping sessions are extremely popular and fill up fast, so don't delay. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations will only be valid after the LightHouse receives payment for each session. For more information please contact Rich Russo at [email protected] or 415-694-7352.

2012 Camp Session Dates
Blind Babies Camp: June 15 through June 17
Family Camp I: June 21 through June 24
Adult Session: June 30 through July 5
Adults with Special Needs: July 7 through July 11
Family Camp II: July 12 through July 15
Youth Session I (3rd through 8th grade): July 16 through July 22
Youth Session II (9th through 12th grade): July 26 through August 4

 

 

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13. Enchanted Hills Retreat - The Perfect Place for Your Meeting or Event
Caption: Enchanted Hills hiking trail, surrounded by greenery

Beautiful Enchanted Hills Retreat is located just 25 minutes from downtown Napa on Mount Veeder Road. Take your meeting or event there with these special winter rates that will help you ring in the New Year. Want to have a family reunion but your house is too small and hotels are way too expensive? Does your workgroup need to get out of the office for a training or retreat? Is your church, club or organization in need of a place where you can get three bountiful meals and a place to gather for a day or a week?

For more information and availability, call 415-694-7310 or email Camp Director Tony Fletcher at [email protected]. Read more about Enchanted Hills Retreat here: http://www.enchantedhillsretreat.com/

 

 

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14. Volunteer to Help Blind Neighbors Run Errands and Tackle Mail
Caption: Personal Services Volunteer Kurt Lipschutz works with LightHouse client Alfrits Ngantung

We are particularly proud of our Personal Services Program, whereby we match volunteers with blind people to accomplish a variety of tasks such as reading mail and running errands.

"Helping someone else allows you to move outside yourself. The selfless act of helping someone else, without looking for reciprocation, allows you to move outside yourself and to 'pay it forward' in your own community without expecting remuneration."
-- LightHouse Volunteer Don M. Franklin.

As a Personal Services Volunteer you are matched one-on-one with a blind or visually impaired person to meet once a week, every other week or once a month for two to three hours to assist with everyday tasks. You may meet at the person's home or you may meet at the LightHouse. Volunteers are placed all over the Bay Area. To sign up, just give Development Director Randy Street a call at 415-694-7333 or email him at [email protected] .

 

 

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15. Hands-on with "Enhanced Vision" Low Vision Products in San Francisco and San Rafael

Enhanced Vision is currently the number one manufacturer of desktop and handheld video magnification devices manufactured in California. Find out when Enhanced Vision will be at the LightHouse by clicking here:


http://bit.ly/enhancedvision 

 

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16. Adaptations Featured Item of the Month: Eschenbach easyPOCKET 4x Magnifier
Caption: easyPOCKET magnifier

Are you looking for a small, illuminated magnifier that you can use in restaurants and other dimly lit locations? If so, the new Eschenbach easyPOCKET is perfect for you!

The Eschenbach easyPOCKET offers 4x magnification and features a unique 50x46 mm lens that is distortion-free and only 3 mm thick! Bright illumination is provided by new SMD LED technology that never needs to be changed. Plus, with a built-in automatic contact mechanism, the light conveniently goes on and off without a switch!

The easyPOCKET is protected by a strong, glass-fiber reinforced plastic case that minimizes lens scratching.

Purchase the easyPOCKET by clicking here:

http://bit.ly/easypocket

or call our store at our toll-free number, 1-888-400-8933.

The Adaptations store is located at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and every third Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

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17. Spring 2012 Calendar (April-June)

We have a variety of classes and events to serve our extended community. We've created a Calendar page on our website to showcase them.Click here to see our offerings for April through June.

 

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Community Events
18. Access Advisors Open House & Disability Arts Festival at deYoung Museum

An art studio will be set up for the day, where participants can see artists at work. There will be iPad self-guided tours for the visually impaired available. Docents will give tours of the museum, including tours in which blind and visually impaired visitors may touch certain three-dimensional works of art on exhibition. Also included is a presentation of "Art Slam," a slideshow of artwork created by disabled artists including blind and visually impaired artists.

When: March 31, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: deYoung Museum, 50 Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco

To make a reservation for yourself or your guest, or to request additional information or specific accommodations, contact Tish Brown, Accessibility Coordinator at the de Young: 415-750-7645 or [email protected].

 

 

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19. CCB Spring 2012 Convention Scheduled for April

The California Council of the Blind (CCB) will hold its spring conference and convention from Thursday, April 12 through Sunday, April 15, 2012. The conference and convention will take place at the Crowne Plaza SFO Hotel, 1177 Airport Blvd., Burlingame, CA 94010. For more information call the CCB office at 800-221-6359, or visit their website at www.ccbnet.org.

 

 

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Noteworthy News 
20. Download Free Braille Books through American Action Fund

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults (AAF) is making its free braille books for blind children available online as downloadable BRF files. Read more here:

http://bit.ly/aafbooks

 

 

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21. Exciting Update on Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder Studies

As many of you know, Vanda has been conducting research on a sleep problem related to total blindness called Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder. They have received many questions asking for information about how the study is progressing and if it is working. Read their results so far:

http://bit.ly/non24hoursleep

 

 

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22. First 'Fully Accessible' TV Launched

A major television manufacturer is about to launch a new range of televisions that they claim will be completely accessible to visually impaired people.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/accessibletv

 

 

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23. Accessibility Problems with your Citibank Account?

Attorneys Timothy Elder and Scott LaBarre are interested in speaking with any blind business owners or employees who have attempted to open or use a business bank account at Citibank. They are particularly interested to hear if you have had any problems with accessing the website interface for your account or entering your password without sighted assistance. Interested individuals can contact Timothy Elder by email at [email protected] or by phone at 410-415-3493.

 

 

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Monthly Edition
March 2012



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"After 37 years working in ophthalmology and referring patients to the LightHouse, I am now able to use the services for my 86-year-old cousin who is legally blind with AMD [age-related macular degeneration]."

-- Facebook friend Shirley E. Russell

 

 
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25. We Tweet Too!

Stay up to date on all the latest happenings at the LightHouse. Follow our Tweets: 

 

http://twitter.com/lighthouse_sf 

 

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26. What Our Readers Say

"Great communication vehicle. Something for everyone!"

 

--E-News Reader

 

Do you have feedback for us?

 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Let us know! Send an email to: 

 [email protected] 

 

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